Detroit Review of Medicine and Pharmacy

a contraction of the pupils, but large doses of cryptopia caused a decided dilatation of the pupils.

The powerfully tetanizing effect of thebaia is so generally well known and acknowledged that we pass it by. We may remark, however, that in the opinion of the author, thebaia acts almost exclusively on the motor centres, inducing in them the highest degree of excitement, which results in cramp, and which is only fatal to life because it arrests the respiratory movements. Directly, the poison has no effect on the heart, and so long as the excitant action is moderate, only acceleration of the breathing and some distress from over-excitement of the vagus, together with muscular twitches, result. (P. 183.)

Idiosyncrasy is as well marked in the animal, especially the horse and dog, as in man. Dr. H. accounts for it wholly on the difference in the excitability of the nervous system, and concludes that morphia in combination with thebaia does to a slight degree diminish the convulsive action of the latter, and on the other hand the hypnotic effect of the former is increased by it.

With regard to the subcutaneous use of morphia, it is decidedly dangerous to use it in highly sensitive females, and especially such as are known to be subject to its disagreeable effects, unless guarded at the same time by some medicine capable of counteracting its convulsive action. He recommends belladonna, or rather atropia, as the best. He says, in the treatment of neuralgia and insomnia the best effects are obtained by a combination of these drugs, to of a grain of acetate of morphia and to of a grain of atropia, by a single puncture, repeated at intervals of eight or twelve hours. Indeed, morphia should never, as a general rule, be injected alone, unless we have reason to know that the patient will experience no evil effects.

The new combinations of the principles of opium, by which the convulsive elements of thebaia and cryptopia are eliminated in svapnia, must, we think, be preferable to the trouble and risk of injecting two such diverse and dangerous elements as morphia. and atropia. The experience of most practical men warns us of the danger of tampering with atropia. We are, moreover, sustained in our opinion of the efficacy and comparative absence of danger in this combinatiou of opium, by the numerous corre

spondents who have extensively used it in practice, and who testify to its anti-convulsive properties.

Our limits preclude us the opportunity of discussing the therapeutical uses of these narcotics, but we cannot forbear a short reference to the combined use of morphia and belladonna hypodermically. Dr. Harley says he has never found constipation the result of the use of opium when thus given in combination with belladonna.

From his experience he argues that: "In the treatment of acute disease, opium may be beneficially used in combination with belladonna; and the appropriate mode of administration consists in the immediate introduction of these remedies beneath the skin as soon as inflammatory action has been detected. The relief to the constitutional irritation, and probably pain, and the retractile stimulant action on the circulation, which immediately follow the use of these drugs, will often arrest, with wonderful rapidity, an inflammatory action (e. g., in the lungs) which, from its severity and extent, threatens soon to become dangerous to life. My own experience induces me to believe that by means of this treatment, inflammation in its earliest stages lies completely within our control. If the soporific influence of the first dose remain, or if pain and insomnia be absent, the occasional use only of the opium is needed." (P. 302.)

There is no occasion for a recommendation from our hands, to induce every physician who prides himself in keeping pace with the progress of the profession, to possess himself of this excellent book. Its very title invites the scrutiny of its contents.

J. M. B. A COURSE OF PRACTICAL CHEMISTRY, Arranged for the use of Medical Students. By William Odling, M. B., F. R. S., Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, etc.; with illustrations. From the fourth and revised London edition. Published by Henry C. Lea, Philadelphia. 1869. This work is in every particular a valuable one to the student. This edition has several important improvements. The new atomic weights and formulæ are used through the entire book.

For sale by J. M. Arnold & Co., 133 Woodward Ave., Detroit.

DISEASES AND INJURIES OF THE EYE; Their Medical and Surgical Treatment. By George Lawson, F. R. C. S., Surgeon to the Royal London Ophthalmic Hospital, Moorfields, and Assistant Surgeon to the Middlesex Hospital. Lindsay & Blakiston, Philadelphia. 1869.

The author gives to us in this manual a "separate section on each particular disease of the eye," not only his own idea upon the subject, but that of his colleagues and other eminent surgeons. For sale by E. B. Smith & Co., Detroit. Price, $2.50. ON THE WASTING DISEASES OF INFANTS AND CHILDREN. By Eustace Smith, M. D., London, Member of the Royal College of Physicians, etc. Henry C. Lea, Philadelphia. 1870. The particular effort of the author in this work has been to make it "clinically useful." There is a systematic classification of those wasting diseases of children, which Dr. Smith has endeavored to make of value to the practitioner. This book is entitled to a place in every physician's library.

For sale by J. M. Arnold & Co., 133 Woodward Ave., Detroit. A HANDY-BOOK OF OPHTHALMIC SURGERY, for the use of Practitioners. By John Z. Lawrence, F. R. C. S., M. B. (Univ. Lond.), assisted by Robt. C. Moore. Illustrated. Second edition, revised and enlarged. Published by Henry C. Lea, Philadelphia. 1869.

The author's large experience in ophthalmic medicine is a sufficient guarantee that this book is one of value.

For sale by J. M. Arnold & Co., 133 Woodward Ave., Detroit. THE PHYSICIAN'S VISITING LIST FOR 1870.-Nineteenth year of its publication. Lindsay & Blakiston, Philadelphia. 1870. RECEIVED from the Secretary of the American Medical Association, Vol. 20, Transactions for 1869.

Also, the Nomenclature of Diseases, drawn up by a joint committee appointed by the Royal College of Physicians, of London, and reprinted by order of the American Medical Association.

We have received the Report of the Committee on Medical Education, extracted from the Transactions of the American Medical Association for 1869.

INDEX.

A Word to our Subscribers...

A Word to the Clergy....

.394, 443

343

Abortion, Abstract of a Lecture upon, with post mortem examination, 400
Abscess of the Liver, Successful Termination of a Case of
Addison's Disease Treated by General Electrization.....
Amenorrhoea, Notes of a Clinical Lecture on